Shocking Drug Rehab Statistics

If you were to research drug rehab statistics from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), you would find that the figures reveal a startling fact. Drug abuse has taken over the lives of so many young people and adults. Millions of people abuse drugs of every kind each and every day and are even abusing prescription drugs that they get from their doctor. The people that use prescribed drugs also need to get into a treatment program because they have become dependent on the drugs and will go to any lengths to get it.

There are almost seven million people in America who abuse prescription drugs according to the DEA. This number is more than the combined number of people that use other drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy. The seven million prescription drug users increased from over three million in the year 2000. Over a six year period that is a considerably high number.

People who choose to abuse prescription drugs do so for different reasons, but in most cases, it is due getting rid of ongoing pain both physically and mentally. There are many deaths resulting from over dose of prescription drugs, cocaine and heroin.

Even teenagers abuse prescription drugs. Drug rehab statistics report that about one in ten teenagers that attend high school during their last year take prescription drugs. The shocking truth is that of that figure about forty percent of these teenagers don't think anything is wrong with taking prescription drugs. Parents also think it is better for their teenagers to take prescription drugs than other hardcore drugs.

The most common of all prescription drugs that is being abused is hydrocodone. This is about three quarter of the prescription drug problem that is faced in the United States. About twenty five percent of emergency hospital visits are linked to drug over dose.
There are so many stories told about how people start using prescription drugs though there are no particular statistics outlined. Some start after drugs have been prescribed to them by their doctor for some type of injury or pain. They become dependent on the drugs and it becomes part of their daily lives. Doctors should be accountable for writing prescriptions on a continuous basis for a patient who realistically does not need it.

Some people take anti-depressants for anxiety problems and get addicted to them. Drug rehab treatment is helpful in weaning someone like that from being too dependent on the drugs. They need to be taught how to deal with their anxiety and depression in other meaningful and safe ways.

In some cases, a person may be taking a drug that has side effects and has to go back to the doctor to get different prescribed drugs to take care of the side effects. So at one time, they may be taking two or more prescribed drugs for different health issues. They become dependent on these and it is hard to quit.

Even though these drugs were prescribed by a physician, it does not mean that the person will not become addicted and eventually ruin their lives. Of course, ultimately, it is the person's responsibility to be disciplined enough to not overdo it. However, dependency on prescribed drugs can be easier said than done.